Lars Gullin - Danny's Dream (1995)

Sweden's most important jazz musician of the 1950s, baritonist Lars Gullin had a tone somewhere between Gerry Mulligan and Serge Chaloff and a dry but swinging style. Danny's Dream, the eighth in a series of Dragon CDs that reissue many of his most important sessions, has three dates that put the spotlight on Gullin's playing in small groups. The first numbers are quartet/quintet numbers with tenor saxophonist Carl-Henrik Norin on three numbers. That set and the two other quartet sessions all feature guitarist Rolf Berg as a key soloist and also include George Riedel's tasteful bass. The drums chair changes on each date and Gullin switches to piano for "Lars Meets Jeff," "A La Carte," and "Soho." The most famous selection is Gullin's "Danny's Dream," a haunting ballad that was considered his greatest "hit." Overall, this volume gives listeners a strong sampling of Lars Gullin's baritone performing West Coast-style cool jazz. -- Scott Yanow